Hi all!How quickly last year
ended, and already there are glimpses of spring (that may be a little harder to
believe on the East Coast as you continue to get hit w/snowfall). Have been
frantically trying to get caught up w/the email updates, and scanning pictures.
Would not believe the number of photos that have accumulated; aside from the
time / effort (getting them organised), the albums are going to cost a fortune
though it means there is plenty of material for the website!

Since the last update...Finally
ventured down to Cornwall to visit with Shelly's Navy colleague, Jaime. They
met last summer while in California (Monterey) for a comptroller training
class. Jaime was kind enough we meet us at Bodmin Parkway (we took the train
down from London), put us up, and drive us around all weekend. As it was dark
long before arriving on Friday, we did not begin to see the area until the next
morning. Started off visiting St. Michael's Mount. Have confused this with
Mount St. Michel for ages. Finally realised that there are two different places
(one in England, the other in France), though similarly joined by a causeway
that 'disappears' when the tide is in. Since it was high tide, the path was
underwater but still visible beneath the surface. Did not boat across to the
island - imagine it is peaceful, especially in the evenings. Stopped for lunch,
and spent several hours relaxing / walking around St. Ives. Later that evening
we met up w/Scott (Jungk) and Heather (his - new to us - wife) who were having
friends over for homemade pizza (really just looking for a reason to try out
their new pizza stone). First met Scott when he joined Jaime on an occasion up
to London. Given the brief period it took Daisy (our cat) to curl up in his
lap, we figured he must be alright! Scott bought a house no long after arriving
in Cornwall, so it was a chance to see that as well. The pizza was great, and
it was very nice to catch up. Sunday we headed to Tintagel, long believed to
have been associated w/King Arthur. The castle ruins are along a beautiful
coastline. Desolate and exposed, it must be an experience to remember during
the wintertime.

Took a while
to cave into the pressure for a 'beach vacation', finally taking advantage of a
offer from Bhanu, a colleague of Shelly's. She and her husband have owned a
property in Portugal for some time and they often 'let' it out to the
ever-rotating cast of characters in the Navy Budget / Accounting office. Like
most time shares, the house sleeps a number of people so we talked our friends
James & Wendy into joining us. Have enjoyed Sevilla (Spain) so much on
previous visits (and since it is relatively close to the Portuguese coast), we
flew / spent the day there before settling into the Algarve in southern
Portugal. The drive was not as bad as expected. Would seem that the growing
tourism, largely British, has resulted in a motorway nearly as far as Albufeira
(the town closest the time share). Since it was too early to check-in, sought
out the Old Town area of Faro for lunch. Spent the next several days relaxing
on the beach, occasionally tempting the freezing ocean (surprised that the
water was not warmer - really could not swim for any length of time though it
was nice to occasionally cool off) interspersed w/a few hours poolside. Every
day was beautiful, with a cloudless blue sky and ever present breeze. Not one
to stay in one place too long, spent a fair amount of time walking around
Albufeira and other nearby towns. James and I took a day to drive west towards
Lagos, a town further along the coast. Traffic in sections along the smaller
coastal roads was terrible, but we eventually made it. Meandered around town
for a while, and relaxed over lunch (including some amazing sardines) before
returning. The next day James & Wendy flew back to London, from Faro.
Shelly and I spent Thursday a little north in the town of Silves. Unlike the
coastal areas, it seemed slightly more Portuguese and little less touristy.
Spent the last day in Portugal freshwater diving (inland, at a reservoir) while
Shelly relaxed poolside. Not particularly pleasurable diving, though it helped
to shake some of the rust (has been quite a while since I last had the
opportunity to dive) and work on my buoyancy. Like most timeshares, the rental
is a Saturday check-in / Saturday departure, so that morning we returned for a
final night in Sevilla. Had a wonderful meal (oxtail, one of my favourites) in
a "hidden" restaurant along a side wall of the Reales
Alcázares.

Embarrassingly, it took us forever to make the easy trip west to visit
w/my Welsh colleagues (Julian, Paula & Gary) and their families in South
Wales. The logistics of coordinating everyone made it difficult, but finally
settled on a weekend in August. Met everyone Friday night, for drinks and
dinner in Bridgend. Later learned that Gary and his wife (Vivian) planned the
first day, which included Swansea, Mumbles, Carreg Cennen Castle, Dylan Thomas'
Boathouse, Kidwelly Castle and Paxton Tower. Sunday was organised by Julian and
his wife (Trish, or Pat, if you ask Gary / Viv). Visits included Castell Coch
and the Museum of Welsh Life before Paula and her husband John showed us around
Cardiff. It was wonderful to meet the extended families, and the hospitality
was overwhelmingly amazing! Hope we have the opportunity to return their
graciousness.

Had the
unexpected surprise of Shelly receiving the Civilian Employee of the Year award
within her region. The presentation was attended by a reporter for the Crowned
Eagle (a Navy newspaper) and the associated account / photo appeared in the
ensuing issue. Some weeks later, it occurred to me to submit the article to the
IUP Alumni magazine (have noticed other, similar mentions, in the past). Was
hoping that it would be a complete surprise when the summer issue was printed.
Unfortunately, several days after I contacted the magazine (providing details),
the editor got in touch with the Navy for a better copy of the photo. In turn,
the Crowned Eagle contacted Shelly (perhaps assuming she was involved) spoiling
the surprise. Not sure we ever saw the published article, though it was was
posted on the IUP website (http://www.iup.edu/publications/iupmag/webextra/Details/speicher.shtm).

October found us moving, yet
again. In terms of space (especially storage), were very pleased with the flat
in Earls Court. However, the area wore on us; always busy, always noisy. A
difficult decision given that physically moving everything and dealing w/estate
agents is hardly an appealing prospect. In the end, decided on a location just
a little north, between High Street Kensington and Notting Hill (Tor Gardens).
Despite the inevitable trade-offs, think we found a nicely sized flat in a
quiet neighborhood. On the plus side, we have gained a larger kitchen (there is
almost room enough to cook) and a nice garden in back.

Later in October, turned Steph / Joe's
pending nuptials into an opportunity to relive the trip we took through New
Jersey just before moving to London (mainly planned around leaving our cat,
Daisy, w/Steph). No one we visited lives in quite the same area, but still easy
enough to see Greg / Maura (who have "added" Erin since our last visit) and
Brian / Kristin (they have two kids now, she was very pregnant when we visited
them last) before ending the long weekend outside Philadelphia (Bryn Mawr, King
of Prussia) for the wedding / reception. Amazing to see how much all the kids
have grown in just the time we have been here!

After the fact, discovered that we had
missed Mary Black (contemporary Irish singer) while she was touring in / around
London (do not think she has been through here since our first year).
Fortunately the performances immediately following were not unreasonably far
outside the city. Caught one of the last dates of the tour at the Warwick Arts
Centre in Coventry. Only stayed overnight - found a comfortable B&B not too
far away. Travelled up Saturday for tea, and an early dinner. Enjoyed the show,
and a Sunday morning lie-in before heading for home.

For several years, we have been relying are
our annual Weinachtmarkt trip to put us in the Christmas spirit.
Unintentionally (though it is one of our favorite cities), each trip has
started in Munich. Inadvertently we have grown accustom to returning to a few
of the same stands / vendors as years past, including a place, directly behind
the Rathaus, which sells some amazing jam donuts (especially when they are
freshly made). After a day / night, drove north to Dresden stopping in Bayruth
along the way. Our hotel (Hotel Schloss Eckberg) was slightly out of town, but
an easy tram ride into the centre of the city. The Dresden market was huge, but
not particularly unique or quaint. Stumbled across a wonderful Advent Market
which resembled a Medieval / Renaissance Festival. Had some very nice handmade
crafts, including some wrought-iron (candle sticks, etc) that I could kick
myself for not buying. Found a nice market in Regensburg on the return drive
south, before dropping off the rental car and flying back to
London.

Had an celebrious
time at both of our holiday parties. My division, Serco (Justice), have a
reputation for arranging enjoyable Christmas parties; the event last year
(though we missed it while we were back in the States) was held at the
Cheltenham Race Course. This year, arrangements were made at the Hatherley
Manor, outside of Cheltenham (near the Gloucester headquarters, along the
western end of the Cotswolds). For everyone travelling beyond a certain
distance, the company extended accommodation. The party itself was in a large
banquet area (adjacent to the manor house) along with several other companies.
By the end of the night, nearly everyone was wise to the fact that by simply
telling the bartenders that they worked for Serco, they were not charged for
their drinks (we had an open bar, while some of the others definitely did not).
Quite unexpectedly (later in the evening), we were treated to a large bouquet
of flowers (for Shelly) and a bottle of vintage port (for me!) in appreciation
for time / effort in Merseyside (our, at times, vexatious customer). In
contrast, the Navy tends to have much more reserved / modest parties (usually a
protracted lunch, w/a gift exchange). Different than years past, this year was
organised at the Imperial War Museum. Things started w/brief tour of the ground
floor of the museum, before convening for lunch upstairs.

Following our customary trip home to the
States for the holidays, friends of Eugene / Maura (Byrne) were in town just
after the new year. Paul & Jennifer (Beecher) concluded their trip to
Ireland w/a few days in London. Were not sure that they would take us up on the
offer to stay w/us, but very glad that they did (Daisy definitely enjoyed the
additional attention! - since they have several cats, it was probably a little
like being home). During the course of their visit, had a number of relaxing /
wonderful dinners (including at least one at the Admiral Codrington that
involved a bit too much wine - seems to be a reoccurring theme w/that
particular restaurant!).

During our last visit w/Landon and Shelly, we noticed they had a book
on Wells (they drove all around the United Kingdom while on their honeymoon), a
smaller English city south / southwest of London. Given their positive
experience, we decided to visit the area for a weekend. Wells is most noted for
its cathedral, which is immense (and beautiful), similar in architecture to
some of the other churches in England. Walked around that town for much of the
day before moving on to the very small Wiltshire village of Lacock. The next
day, we managed to see Stonehenge just before closing (was on the way back to
London). There was a period of time we were courting a contract w/Wiltshire,
and I passed it several times driving to Devizes. Nice to finally see it up
'close' (although still relatively far away).

February found us in Pittsburgh. As
Shelly's sister is getting married in the fall, it was the only date that could
be agreed to shop for bridesmaid dresses (needed to be sooner, rather than
later). Sadly, the health of Shelly's grandmother took a turn (starting with
the flu that was giving everyone such difficulty). We feel fortunate that we
were in the States, and able to spend time with her and the extended family.
Before we returned, experienced some of the massive snowfall that created havoc
in the D.C. Metro area, and was Viv's uninvited guest for a day when I suddenly
came down w/a stomach virus that made me nauseous just thinking about driving
anywhere.

Unlike recent
years, it seems that the majority of upcoming trips involve flights back to the
States. There will be a trip or two associated w/Tara's (Shelly's sister)
wedding (shower in September, wedding in October). Planning a long weekend in
June to attend a wedding in Memphis (Shelly's cousin Charles is getting
married, and it is a good opportunity to see aunts, uncles and cousins from
that side of the family). Considering Madrid and a few other destinations, but
nothing has been decided as yet.

That's all for now...Take care,
and miss you all!Norman

P.S. Per usual, check out the
website (www.speicherindustries.com) when
you get the chance. I have posted lots of new pictures from Wales, Rye,
Copenhagen and the Lake District.